Shortly after the Greenbrier Classic swung into action, Governor Joe Manchin presented the Distinguished West Virginian Award to Greenbrier owner Jim Justice at the 18th hole Of the Old White Course.
It’s the highest award the Governor can give to anyone.
“We do that for such a special person who does so many things out of the ordinary and Jim has done so many things unordinary," Manchin said. "He’s brought this revitalization to America’s resort the Greenbrier, but he’s also put West Virginia on the map and it helps us so much."
Manchin says the improvements to the Greenbrier and work on the tournament put the spotlight on the entire state.
“I’ve always said this, we’re the envy of the whole world but they just don’t know it yet," he said. "Today they’re finding out this week they are finding out about West Virginia."
The governor says the national attention is helping to bring needed tourism dollars to the state.
"Jim’s making an investment not just for himself and his family he made it for all of West Virginia," Manchin said.
The par 3, 18th hole is already proving to be a hot spot for visitors. Jim Justice promised to pay a million-dollars for each hole in one and $750,000 will go to charity while the golfer gets to keep the rest. Fans who witness the ace will get a hundred-bucks and five hundred if it happens again.
His generosity seems to be placing Jim Justice in a celebrity status.
“I bet I signed 3,000 autographs yesterday," he Justice said. "So many people yelling thanks Jim thanks for bringing this here this is unbelievable for West Virginia and all that stuff just a really great day another great day to be Jim Justice."
Justice rescued the historic resort from bankruptcy in May of last year. Since then, he’s built and opened a casino, steakhouse and Italian restaurant at the hotel and of course been instrumental in bringing the PGA Tour to town. He says it’s just a matter of staying busy.
“We work,” he said. “I don’t think it’s any phenomenal accomplishment to pull it off in 11 months.”
“So many people that are standing on the sidelines waiting for something to happen for crying out loud we’ve got to have people that make it happen now. That’s all there is to it we’ve got to get off our butts and go to work.
He says all the work has paid off and the week is going even better than expected."
“The pros are going crazy saying on Monday you have this many people out here for a Monday pro am we ain’t never seen anything like this and then on Tuesday you now all the players are just saying wow all these people out here just watching us on a practice day."
Patrick Ramsey drove from Covington Virginia to see how the event turned out. He spent time working on the casino during construction.
“We came over to see how everything turned out and see what they’ve done with the golf course and check out some of the pros," he said.
“Anytime you see the pros you always figure it’s on TV and someplace else and being this close to home it’s just really unique just to see it come through."
Ramsey’s son Cody was also impressed with the event.
“I don’t golf that much but I’m good at it,” he said.
Angela Boyd traveled from Cross Lanes West Virginia. She’s spending her yearly vacation at the Greenbrier.
“The excitement has been building every day," she said. "We were here on Monday and it was fabulous there was more of a crowd than we expected on Monday and each and every day it has increased and will build up until Sunday."
“It’s an old timey American kind of story," he said. "You know strap up your boots invest your money and make it happen and everybody rallies around and says we want to be a part."
“First you believe in Santa then you maybe don’t for a while and then before you know it you are Santa," Justice said. "Well think about it, we go a million Santa Clauses out here. They believe that they are Santa Clause and they got the great big one leading the parade."
Justice says he leads the parade, or his employees, just as he coaches his players at Greenbrier East High School. The Greenbrier Classic continues through Sunday. The final rounds of the tournament will be televised to a national audience on CBS TV.